France's labor reform debated in Senate amid strikes

PARIS – France's Senate starts debating a contested labor reform on Monday as rail and air strikes continue to disrupt traffic in the country as it hosts the European Championship soccer tournament.

The national rail company, SNCF, said about 30 percent of regional trains and 10 percent of high-speed trains were cancelled. There were also disruptions for Paris commuter trains taking fans to the Ireland-Sweden match at the Stade de France on Monday.

About 15 percent of Air France's domestic and long haul flights were cancelled due to a pilots' strike, according to the company.

France's conservative Senate is expected to substantially change the bill proposed by the Socialist government. The reform will then need to be debated again in the lower house of parliament, which has the final say.